NOTE: As of February 2021, Full Stop has moved to 2910 Dundas W
A ‘full stop’ usually refers to a complete sentence, idea, or phenomenon. This definition is fitting for this Junction café as it truly offers everything a great coffee shop should – excellent drinks, an array of baked goods & eats, lots of space to sit inside or out, free wi-fi, and nice staff.
Full Stop has established themselves as more than just a coffee shop; they’re a neighbourhood meeting place where all are welcome. They have proved to be, excuse the bad pun, a café well worth stopping for.
Location & Ambience
Full Stop is located at 2948 Dundas St W, west of Keele & Dundas. The coffee shop is open daily from 8am-5pm*.
The coffee shop’s look is simplistic, yet very lively because of its use of bright colours (predominantly orange, an energetic colour). Inside the café, you’ll find eye-catching pieces of art & furnishings that can be best described as eccentric.
Milk crates, vintage furniture, a bold airplane painting, LEGO art, and the shop’s infamous ‘SUP’ wall decals… The shop feels as hip as it does comforting.
One of my favourite things about Full Stop is how spacious the café is. Either you’re sitting inside or out (currently all seating is outside only), you’re bound to find a seat. Outside, the Full Stop patio utilizes long communal tables & a wooden tiered platform to ensure there is ample seating for customers.
If the patio is looking a little crowded however, located next to the café is the Junction Farmers Market. The Market is cancelled for the season, and although sad, the open space means there is ample room to take advantage of the few benches or to bring a blanket & sit on the floor (major picnic vibes). P.S. you can also access the Full Stop patio by crossing through the Market grounds.
Menu & Price
Full Stop carries your standard coffee fare (ex. lattes & cappuccinos), plus a few fun others. For the summer months, not only can you find cool iced drinks, but even lemonade or ‘tropical’ slushies. Their year-long menu is pictured below.
Along with beverages, the café also serves a small selection of rotating baked goods such as loaves, cookies, and even breakfast sandwiches.
On my most recent trip, I splurged on an iced latte & a banana peanut butter chocolate chunk cookie. One of my small joys in life is the foam on top of an iced latte - Full Stop did not disappoint. If you love unsweet, espresso-prominent lattes, this drink is for you (if not, ask the barista to sweeten). This drink was perfect for my (much needed) Sunday morning wake-me-up. As for the cookie, it was great - chewy, chocolatey, and pretty filling.
Drinks at the café range from $3-$4.75. A little pricey, but it’s pretty aligned with what most other coffee shops in the city charge. For my order above (plus a 15% gratuity – tip your baristas!), it came out to nearly $10. But let’s be honest, we don’t just pay for the coffee when we visit specialty cafés – we pay for the experience & to support small local businesses. Plus, a coffee shop with outdoor seating… wouldn’t you pay a little more to sit on a patio right now?
COVID Impacts
Besides following the city’s policies of takeout only & masks being worn inside public spaces, Full Stop has adapted to the pandemic by offering hand sanitizer at various spots in the café, creating arrows to guide patrons inside the shop to minimize traffic, and by removing some of the seats on its patio to ensure patrons can keep socially distanced from one another. You can even order from the patio outside if you want to minimize entering buildings (or if you forgot your mask).
To continue supporting the café during these times, one of the simplest ways to do so is to simply go out & purchase from them. Maybe opt for a breakfast of baked goods, or a coffee run for your household. You can even purchase a gift card to the café in-store for future visits, or a bag of coffee bean to brew at home ($11/$20 depending on size).
Make sure to also follow their Instagram to learn more about the café. Full Stop's posts are not only informative, but upbeat & humorous. And hey, they sometimes even give away free drinks on the platform, so keep your eye out.
Summary
Full Stop is a neighbourhood coffee shop whose eccentric ambience makes all feel at ease when visiting. They’re open daily from 9am-5pm selling an array of classic and funky baked goods & beverages. Their large back patio is the perfect place to enjoy a coffee & treat. The café’s pricing is pretty average compared to other coffee shops in the city, but the experience you’ll get when visiting isn’t. They have taken ample precautions to ensure the safety of its staff & guests, and I hope you continue to keep local businesses like theirs alive by visiting them for your next caffeine fix.
*The Brewed at a Distance series depicts Toronto cafés amidst COVID-19. Hours are subject to change as businesses continue to adapt to the pandemic.